Schawinski criticizes Walpen

After Roger Schawinski announced his resignation from Sat.1 on Wednesday, he has already criticized SRG Director Armin Walpen over the TV fees. Resistance to the planned fee increase is also currently being voiced in parliament. Two weeks ago, Walpen threatened in the SonntagsZeitung that he would cut SRG programming if the Federal Council did not increase TV fees by 6.5 percent. Schawinski describes Walpen's statement in the current SonntagsZeitung as "very questionable". According to the radio pioneer and television producer, any broadcaster can massively reduce costs without cutting programs or reducing quality. At Sat.1, a third of the program costs amounting to CHF 300 million had been saved within four years. Schawinski also believes that something similar is possible at SRG.
Meanwhile, critical voices are also being raised in parliament. FDP National Councillor Rolf Hegetschweiler, for example, is calling on the Federal Council to reject a hearing on fees. According to him, the SRG should "get its costs under control itself". He plans to submit a postulate on the subject in the coming days. SVP finance expert Haus Kaufmann also wants to submit an interpellation calling on the federal government to "carefully examine the facts before the taxpayer is burdened with new compulsory fees".